In front of China, Western allies pledge to supply electricity to PNG

PORT MORESBY (Reuters) – The United States and three of its allies unveiled Sunday a $ 1.7 billion plan to provide electricity and the Internet to much of Papua New Guinea ( PNG), the first step of a plan to counter the expenses of the Belt and roads in China in the region.

Japan, Australia and New Zealand will join the United States to fund the program in Papua New Guinea, while reports point to tensions over the drafting of a final declaration that will be published at the conclusion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Papua New Guinea. capital of Port Moresby.

China had a successful Sunday: a Tongan official said the Pacific nation had joined the Belt and Road initiative and had been given a five-year loan extension on a concessional loan just before the start of the repayment. its main.

According to the Western Allies Plan, 70% of the PNG population would have electricity by 2030, up from 13% now, and was presented as evidence of its commitment to the Pacific Strategic Region.

"We are confident that today's announcement, as well as the US share of this joint announcement, is proof that America and our companies are investing more than ever in the region," said the vice president. -President Mike Pence at a press conference.

Mr Pence said that it was the first project under a cooperation agreement concluded between the United States, Japan and Australia, aimed at providing capital for infrastructure in the Pacific, while concern over China's influence in the region was worrisome.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who arrived here Thursday in Port Moresby, has been hailed by PNG officials and sparked concern in the Western West during a meeting with leaders of the Pacific Islands. during which he launched the "Belt and Road" initiative.

On Saturday, Mr. Pence is directly interested in Belt and Road in an APEC speech, saying that countries should not accept debts compromising their sovereignty.

Tension at the top has created difficulties for Papua New Guinea in drafting a release acceptable to all members. Australian media reported that Chinese officials had asked to see PNG Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato over the communique but had not been allowed to enter his office.

Pato did not respond to messages and phone calls asking for comments.

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PNG has 8 million inhabitants, four-fifths of whom live outside urban areas and have poor infrastructure. He has emerged as a flashpoint in the competition between the United States and China to consolidate alliances in the region.

New Zealand Premier Jacinda Arden said the electricity project would cost about $ 1.7 billion, and an Australian government spokeswoman told Reuters that she would contribute up to $ 1.5 billion. $ 25 million ($ 18.3 million) in the first year of this initiative.

China has invested in development projects in the region, particularly through the Belt and Road initiative to build a large hydroelectric power plant in PNG.

The Western plan comes as diplomatic sources told Reuters that Australia and the United States were concerned about the debt burden that the Chinese plant could impose on PNG.

Belt and Road was first proposed in 2013 to extend land and sea links between Asia, Africa and Europe, with billions of dollars of infrastructure investment from China.

Pence changed his plans by staying in Port Moresby on Saturday night. He had planned to come in and out of the north of Australia that had angered the APEC host.

Australia, a faithful ally of the United States, has for decades enjoyed a largely unparalleled influence among the Pacific Island States. China has only recently focused its attention on the region with a large number of bilateral funding agreements with economies in distress.